How to Configure IPVanish OpenVPN in ASUSWRT-Merlin?

This tutorial will walk you through configuring IPVanish OpenVPN in ASUSwrt-Merlin and will allow you to establish a permanent VPN tunnel from your router. This guide was prepared and based on an IPVanish OpenVPN installation on an ASUS RT-AC68U router that has been flashed with ASUSwrt-Merlin.

Before following this guide, you will need to install Asuswrt-Merlin on your router. To do this, you will need to go to Asuswrt-Merlin's website and download the latest version for your ASUS router and follow the readme instructions to flash and update your router's firmware to the Asuswrt-Merlin firmware.

Before Getting Started

The following are required to configure IPVanish OpenVPN on ASUSWRT Merlin:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Regardless of what model router you have or the version of Asuswrt-Merlin firmware you are installing, there is a small chance of bricking your router (i.e. rendering the router completely useless). If the process of putting Asus-Merlin on the router does not complete properly. Please thoroughly read and follow the related documentation regarding the updating procedure for your router.

Configuring the IPVanish OpenVPN Connection

1. Log in to the router control panel by entering the router’s default IP address 192.168.1.1 to the address bar of your preferred browser. (If you changed your router's default IP address, enter that into your browser instead). While connecting using 192.168.1.1, the URL may change to http://192.168.1.1/Advanced_OpenVPNClient_Content.asp due to the default DNS configuration specified in the router.

2. You will be redirected to the user interface of the router; select VPN under Advanced Settings as shown below:

3. Select the VPN Client tab at the top and enter the required details as shown below:

A more detailed view of the step-by-step process is as follows:

Start with WAN: Yes

Interface Type: TUN

Protocol: UDP or TCP. However, UDP is the most preferred protocol.

Server Address and Port: Choose a server from our server list and enter the address in this field. (To access the server, login with your username and password, select the Server List tab to select your preferred server).

Port: Provide 1194 or 443.

Keys and Certificates: Click the Edit button as shown below and you will be redirected to another window as shown below.

Copy and paste the whole content of the file found here, into the Certificate Authority box and click the Save button at the bottom.

Username/Password Authentication: Yes

Username: Replace name@domain.com with your IPVanish Username

Password: Your IPVanish Password

Username/Password Auth. Only: Yes

Auth digest: SHA256

Legacy/fallback cipher: AES-256-CBC

Compression: LZO

Connection Retry: -1

Custom Configuration box: Copy and paste the following italicized text into this box: